DUI/DWI

How Should I Handle a DUI?

DUI arrests happen to people of all ages, races, and economic groups – many of whom have never been arrested before in their lives. An arrest, and especially a conviction, can have a major impact on people’s reputations and careers. It is therefore important to consult an attorney as soon as possible.

The main reason why it is so important to move quickly is that if a person is arrested for DUI, and refuses to take a breath, blood or urine test or takes the test and has an unlawful result, his or her license is automatically, and immediately, suspended. The length of this suspension varies depending on whether there is an unlawful result or if the test is refused, as well as whether there has been a prior license suspension for DUI. The arrested person is given a citation, which serves as their driver’s license for ten days. During this ten day period, a person must file for an administrative hearing to challenge the suspension, or in certain cases can accept the suspension and receive an immediate hardship permit. If nothing is done within ten days of the arrest, the license suspension kicks in automatically. Requesting an administrative hearing grants an automatic, temporary work permit until the hearing can be held.

Charged with a DUI?

Ben has handled literally hundreds of administrative hearings with the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles in his career and is well prepared to try to win your license back. He understands that the ability to drive is absolutely essential for most people to earn a living, care for relatives, get to the doctor, and other daily tasks. He will thus approach this hearing with the seriousness it deserves.

In addition to the administrative license suspension, a person arrested for DUI also faces serious penalties in the court system. DUI is unlike almost every other crime because of the rigid mandatory penalties the law sets out for this offense. depending on the circumstances, these penalties may include jail time, alcohol treatment, ignition interlock devices to start a car, and other serious consequences. It is therefore extremely important to have an attorney at your side who understands the defenses that may be available in a given DUI case.